THE DEANS

OF THE

SCHOOL OF ALEXANDRIA

Part I

BEFORE

ATHENAGORAS

A quick glimpse of the names which headed the Christian School of Alexandria provides
self-evidence of the history of the school and its rank among similar institutions. Among
these are Athenagoras, Pantaenus, Clement, Origen, Heraclas, Alexander, Dionysius,
Theognostes, Peter, Macarius, Didymus the Blind, as well as Athanasius the Apostolic,
Cyril of Alexandria, Dioscorus etc.

Yostius, Eumenius

and

Marcianius

The western historians do not mention Yostius, Eumenius, and
Marcianius, the first three deans of the School of Alexandria, for the following reasons:

1. Since the pastoral care of the Fathers kept them quite busy,
especially with non-Christians, they either had little opportunity to write or their
writings were lost.

2. The learned philosopher Athenagoras influenced the School greatly
due to his philosophical ability; which brightened his star over his predecessors. Hence
the beginning of the School was related to him, especially that his writings were
universally interchanged from the first century even though his name as a writer was not
mentioned as we shall see. Many historians believe Athenagoras was the first principal of
the School.

1. YOSTIUS

St. Jerome mentions that St. Mark the Apostle and Evangelist is the
founder of the Christian School of Alexandria. Further more Coptic references mention that
the Apostle, in his last days, appointed Yostius as the new dean of the School. The new
dean was the contemporary of four Patriarchs who succeeded St. Mark, until he was ordained
Patriarch for Alexandria in the year 121 A.D.

Pope Anianius, who was ordained by St. Mark himself, took care of the
School, and all who joined it renounced the world to devote their lives to the worship and
service of God, living in true love and spiritual peace; there was no rich nor poor among
them, for the rich gave their money to the poor, to be rich in God. They ate once a day at
sunset, both men and women alike in this respect.

We can say that the two most important characteristics of the School
were the combination of study with spiritual life, such as prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
It was open and men and women were co-admitted to the School.

2. EUMENIUS

One of the righteous men of Alexandria, who succeeded Yostius in the
leadership of the School and Patriarchate is Eumenius.

Though we know nothing about his speeches or writings, he was known as
pure and chaste, famous for ordaining a large number of priests for preaching. He sent
them in all directions of the Egyptian country, Nuba, and the Five Western Cities in North
Africa to spread the Christian faith. In his time the Adrian persecution of Christians
increased, and many Copts were martyred, such as St. Sophia from Manf, whose body was
transferred by Emperor Constantine to Constantinople, and who built a church in her name
"Agia Sophia."

Eumenius took care of his people as an Archbishop for twelve years and
three months during the reigns of Emperors Hadrian and Antoninus Pius. He was laid to rest
on 10 Babah near the remains of St. Mark in the Church of Buclais in Alexandria.

3. MARCIANIUS

Born in Alexandria, Marcianius was appointed dean of the School, and in 144 A.D he was
ordained Patriarch. He persevered at a time when the persecution by Caesar Antony was
severely stirred. Marcianus took care of his people as an Archbishop for ten years and two
months during the reign of Emperor Antoninus Pius. He was laid to rest on 6 Toba 154 A.D,
near the remains of St. Mark in the Church of Buclais in Alexandria.